Keeping a clean sheet, defending champions Australia showcased their credentials as the team to beat after the opening day’s play at the FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch on Saturday.
The popular event was front and centre throughout the day, the final match featuring last year’s finalists Australia and New Zealand, the two only unbeaten teams heading into the last match of the day, showing the competitive element with both seeking outright honours heading into the business end on day two.
The FAST5 Ferns started strongly but could not contain Australia’s consistency of converting long-range shots from the two-point scoring zone in the respective power plays and the double value in points accrued. With Lucy Austin leading the early charge, Australia’s pin-point shooting quartet all played their part with Matisse Letherbarrow calmly guiding her team home through her accuracy and ice-cool composure.
Across the court, Australia were efficient, effective and slick in their work. Defenders Teigan O’Shannassay, Kim Jenner and captain Ruby Blakewell-Doran provided a wall-like resistance to disrupt the FAST5 Ferns attacking raids while centre Leesa Mi Mi was a speedy and reliable connection through the midcourt.
The New Zealanders had their moments with Maia Wilson draining several timely two-pointers to keep the hosts in the game but as the pressure grew, the shooting accuracy fell away and Australia went on to post a comfortable 45-26 win.
With the world’s top six teams playing three games across the day, each match involving four six-minute quarters, fatigue could play a part during tomorrow’s final day where another two rounds will take place ahead of final place play-offs.
Australia remains the only unbeaten team with New Zealand and South Africa, yet to play each other, on two wins and a loss apiece. England and Uganda have posted a win and two losses each while a young and inexperienced Jamaica remain the only team with three straight losses.
The FAST5 Netball World Series continued to push the innovative side of the vibrant and actioned-packed shortened version of the game with the tweaking of some of the rules for this year’s edition which had a bearing on how games were played and the outcomes. On trial were three main changes, involving the extension of the power play period from 90 seconds to two minutes at the end of each quarter, the value of points during the power play and the use of possession.
In the power play period only two and three-goal point shots had their value doubled while in a change from previous World Series, a one-goal shot did not double in value. This had the impact of teams being more proactive from the two and three-point range. Tightening up the use of possession rule required teams to actively progress the ball forward which meant once the ball had advanced out of a third, it was not allowed to be passed back into that third. As a result, teams needed to be more strategic while fitness also played a big role.
There was also extra vigilance on persistent infringing, with players guilty of over-stepping being sidelined for one minute of play which had consequences for some teams.
After dropping their opener, a 33-25 loss to South Africa, England got themselves into the winner’s circle with a well-crafted 35-15 win over Jamaica in the second round.
Following an opening 44-37 win over Uganda, Australia notched a second straight win with a comfortable 49-26 win over South Africa, the clutch shooting of Austin and Reilley Batchelor during the power plays giving the Diamonds the upper hand.
The defensive pairing of O’Shannassy and Jenner was relentless in disrupting the Proteas attacking fortunes while providing plenty of turnover ball. New Zealand opened with a strong 39-19 win over Jamaica ahead of an equally-impressive 40-27 win over Uganda in second round of action. Shooter Martina Salmon was a standout for the FAST5 Ferns when nailing eight of 11 from two-point range against Uganda as the New Zealanders skipped away after a tight first quarter.
Uganda put the brakes on England’s revival with an encouraging 31-25 win In their final match of the day, in which goal defence Falidah Kadoni was a standout while goal attack Shadiah Nassanga found her range under the hoop to keep her side in front throughout. South Africa kept Jamaica winless with an exciting come-from-behind 33-25 win in their final match to keep their prospects of making further inroads well on course.
With the growing popularity of the men’s event, competing for the third time at the FAST5 Netball World Series, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa produced an exciting open day with everything hanging in the balance for tomorrow’s final showdowns.
The well-drilled Australian team opened the men’s side of the draw with a comfortable 42-27 win over South Africa before New Zealand posted a dramatic 32-28 win over their trans-Tasman rivals.
Defending champions, the New Zealand Men meet South Africa tomorrow in the final match of pool play to decide the outcome of who will meet in the Grand Final.